Dementia sufferers gathered with staff and their carers yesterday to celebrate the opening of a new centre in Norwich.

Harford Hill dementia centre, in Ipswich Road, will care for up to 25 people and the £90,000 project involved altering, improving and furnishing an existing building on the same site as the council-run Learning Difficulties resource centre.

It was created for people who used to go to Mousehold Day Centre which closed in May after the rooms it occupied on the Healthfield’s Care home site were needed for its residents.

Manager Jill Richardson said: “We are so happy to be here; it is so much better than we expected it to be. We now have a garden and a quiet room.

“The garden has been a work in progress and we have had so much support from the college and local schools. A number of people have been involved in getting it all together.”

The transformed centre has a redecorated living room, kitchen and garden where users can grow herbs and tomatoes.

George Woolston, who attends once a week, said: “I couldn’t wish for anything better. I like the garden. I only come here once a week at the moment, but I would like to come more.”

Lorna Jones, who goes to the centre five days a week, said: “It’s lovely, it’s really nice. We do all sorts – we have exercise, we sing and we talk about the newspaper and discuss current affairs.”

Local businesses donated materials to help build the garden, which was created by students at City College Norwich.

David Harwood, cabinet member for adult and community services at Norfolk County Council, said: “It is light and airy and there’s more space. The facilities are better and it is better for staff; it was dark and dingy before.

“It is much better for people to be able to get out in the fresh air.

“To see the end result and the smiles on people’s faces, you know they are enjoying it.”

Do you have a health-related story for the Evening News? Call Kim Briscoe on 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk